Game 3 Caps @ Penguin Scum 5-6-2009 Preview

Series J: Washington Capitals (56-35; 108 points; 1st Southeast Division, 2nd Eastern Conference, 4th Overall) @ Pittsburgh Penguin Scum (49-41; 99 points; 2nd Atlantic Division, 4th Eastern Conference, 8th Overall):
Eastern Conference Semifinals Game #3, Caps Game #10, Road Game #4, NHL Game #223

Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA. 7:08 pm. Washington TV: None. Radio: WJFK 106.7-FM. Pittsburgh TV: None. Radio: WXDX 105.9-FM. U.S. National TV: Versus. Canadian National TV: CBC, RDS (French).

Tonight, after three straight games at home, Caps head up to the land that employers forget about when the Series shifts up to Pittsburgh for two games. Historically against the Penguin Scum, the Caps Game 3 record is a carbon copy of their Game 2 record which is 2-5.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post: high stakes, puck bunnies, getting it. Times: all-round whiner, third line offense, staying medium, getting physical, Game 3 Preview. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com: AP Wire Preview, staying medium, happy to be home, cheap shot, looking ahead, even footing, still cocky, no comparison, no practice, very happy to be home. TSN.ca. ESPN.com.

Open Source Intelligence:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: must win game, nothing else to do, staying focused, whah, whah, whah. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: being picked on, stick issues, injured, been here, done this.

What Do We Expect Tonight?:

Well folks, as was the case when the Caps were down 2-0 to the Rangers heading into Game 3, these two games in Pittsburgh are MUST WIN GAMES for the Penguin Scum. That means that the Penguin Scum are going to come out and play with a desperation that they have not had before in this series. The Caps have to be careful not to get complacent and think that they have a game or two to play with here because their 2-0 lead could turn into a 2-2 tie or even a 3-2 deficit in a hurry with three games in four nights being scheduled here. The Caps are saying that they're keeping focused and know just how fragile a 2-0 lead can be. However, they need to come out and play like they're down 2-0 in order to match the Penguin Scum. A good way to do that is to score first, which the Caps have yet to do that in this series. Another thing to keep in mind is that while the Caps have built a 2-0 lead, they have done it, like the Rangers did, with two one goal wins. We were a little disturbed with the ending of Monday night's Game 2 because after taking the first 2 goal lead of the series, the Caps sat back and tried to run out the clock. That's why Canadian Diving Team Captain, Lowblow Secondary Assist Cindy Crosby was able to complete her hat trick; the Caps let off the gas pedal and let her wildly swing her stick around the net. This series isn't over, not by a long shot, even if the Caps pull off a win tonight.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Penguin Scum 5
Winner by Fedotenko

(3-6 in the playoffs)